As I write this it is 38F and light scattered rain … so we will be postponing our trail work and tree work session until Tuesday May 20 at 6pm.
We will hold out board meeting this evening at 7pm in the Fire Center Classroom. That is the first building on the right when you drive into the fire center. Board meetings are open to the public, please feel free to join us.
Thanks
Chris
Note: our server time appear to be an hour early …. maybe its fixed …
We are currently doing some re-work of the web site so please exuse the mess in the meantime.
Thanks
Chris
Friends of Monument Preserve is scheduled to hold out first Trail Day for 2008 tomorrow Tuesday may 13 at 6pm at the main trailhead at the corner of Mt. Herman Rd and Nursery Rd. Weather permitting (and it seems unlike at this very moment) we will have 3 activities:
1. Trail Work
2. Tree Planting – we need 6 or so volunteers to help Dianne trim back some scrub oak from some evergreens that are struggling to grow.
3. Board Meeting at 8:45 in the classroom facility after thse – it will be short and sweet. I promise – I’ll put jon in charge so we get it over with ASAP.
Both groups will meet at the parking lot at 6pm and depart from there. FOMP will supply all tools and supplies all you need to do is dress appropriately, bring gloves, water, and eye protection (sunglasses or similar). If you are going to trim scrub oak we recommend long sleeves regardless of the weather.
Here is PLAN B if the weather is bad:
1. I will make the call at 5:15 PM and post work session cancellations on the web site right on the front page at http://www.fomp.org
2. If it is raining or if I can see snow accumulated at all on my grass here in Shiloh Pines across the street from the parking lot we will cancel.
3. If we cancel the board meeting will still be held but at 7pm
4. If we cancel we will reschedule for next Tuesday at 6pm – if Diane can not do her planned tree work at that time we will send out a separate notice
Thanks and sorry for all of the confusion!
If you need directions or have questions, give me a call
Chris Tirpak
719.439.8865 – mobile
Hello everyone!
Spring is here and Friends of Monument Preserve is about to get into full swing for the upcoming season. There are quite a few things planned and we will discuss those at the board meeting tomorrow night. The calendar is linked on the right and has all the details.
Here are few important notes:
Board Meeting – tomorrow 4/8 at 7:00PM
Upcoming Events – Lots of volunteer opportunities! Dates and contact info is in the calendar section at the end.
Hope to see you there!
Thanks
Chris Tirpak
There is a new group forming to deal with issues pertaining to the proposed oil and gas drilling in the Pike National Forest. It is called Front Range Environmental Resource Coalition and its web site is www.frerc.org – they are having a first meeting on Tuesday April 1. Details can be found on their web site.
Today the Gazette published an article regarding oil and gas drilling in the Monument area. FOMP has been aware of this effort for nearly 5 years and has been opposed to Oil and Gas drilling on Mt. Herman since we first heard about it. Frankly, I was surprised to find that there were only 17 comments (for or against) filed during the initial comment period 4 years ago; however, I expect that to change now that we are actually about to have live drilling rigs in Monument full time. People from Manitou to Cheyenne (yes, Boulder too) are going to realize that oil and gas companies are serious about drilling all up and down the Front Range. If Dyad discovers natural gas in Monument, the battle of the Roan plateau will look like a friendly intellectual dinner table discussion.
Stay tuned.
Gazette Article – Pike forest could be ground zero for new drilling
As a partner organization with the USFS FOMP will be reviewing the EA when it becomes available in the near future and submitting comments as an organization. We encourage you to get involved and review the EA as well and make comments as individuals.
Note: I have already received several questions regarding why FOMP is opposed to this effort and I will articulate those reasons here shortly. — Thanks — Chris / FOMP Board
Canceled:
1. June 23 Mt. Herman Rd. Cleanup day is canceled. We will discuss
rescheduling this for the fall if we can generate enough interest.
There are just too many conflicts and too few people around during
the summer.
Ongoing:
1. Wed June 20, 7:00PM — Monthly Board Meeting is held in the
classroom at the work center. Everyone is invited to join us..
2. Trail Crew. Trail season is in full swing. Due to the difficult
conditions on the trail we are holding weekly work sessions in
addition to the monthly work session. These are Tuesday nights at
6pm, meet at the trail head on the corner of Mt. Herman and
Schilling. FOMP ad FS provide all the tools. Bring water, gloves,
and dress appropriately for the weather. We work in rain unless
there is lightning. If you have any questions, please send them to
info@fomp.org.
FOMP MEETING MINUTES-APRIL 18, 2007
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE- 3 NEW MEMBERS AND FIVE RENEWAL
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
TRAIL WORK NIGHT- MAY 8TH 6:00PM TO DARK-MEET AT TRAIL HEAD PARKING LOT ON SHILLING/NURSERY RD
TREE PLANTING- MAY 10TH 4:30-6:30
90 TREES- 60 PONDEROSA AND 40 DOUGLAS FIR
MAY 5TH-MEMORIAL GROVE CEREMONY AND POTLUCK
HOT SHOTS DINNER- TBA
TRAIL CLEAN UP DAY- MAY 19
SIX NEW BIRD HOUSES CONSTRUCTED AND PLACED THROUGH OUT THE PRESERVE AND OLD BIRD HOUSES CLEANED
KEEP THE FOREST CLEAN BY NOTING INFECTED TREES WITH BEETLE SO THEY CAN BE TAGGED AND REMOVED
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS BEING RECOGNIZED IN LOCAL PAPERS
ELECTIONS:
CHRIS TIRPAK WAS ELECTED TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM AS PRESIDENT OF FOMP
JON NORDBY ELECTED TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM AS VP OF FOMP
The summer 2007 FOMP calendar is almost set. Trail days, as always, will be the second Tuesday of each month, 6pm, meet at the trail head on Mt. Herman Rd. We will also be hosting several other events: Dinner with the Hotshot and Helitac crews (May), Mt. Herman Rd clean up day (May), Tree Planting, and the annual Memorial Grove ceremony(May). Please check the calendar for details as we finalize dates. And please contact us at info@fomp.org if you wish to participate in any of the events and need more info.
At 7:00pm Wednesday, 18-April 2007, The Friends of Monument Preserve (FOMP) are holding our annual membership meeting and board elections. The purpose of this meeting is to elect a governing board to direct the activities of FOMP as and as your representatives to interface with the community and the USFS. If you or someone you know is interested in a board position, or just want to be more involved in defining our goals and operational plans, please plan on attending. The meeting his held in the classroom in the Fire Center Administration area, follow the first left after Mount Herman Road turns to dirt and follow it in to the parking. Active FOMP members are eligible to vote.